Twist cap

ABSTRACT

A cap for sealing a container having a threaded spout. The cap is arranged so that it can be snapped onto and off the spout and so that it can also be screwed on and off the spout.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cap for sealing a containerhaving a threaded spout. The container may be a plastic bag, pouch,bladder, bag-in-box container or a rigid container, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In the catering and fast food industries many different foodproducts are purchased in plastic bags, pouches, bladders and bag-in-boxcontainers. Examples of such typical food products include tomatoproducts, citrus products, soft drink syrups, fruit purees, fruit saucesand flavouring. These types of containers are advantageous over otherpackaging containers because they can be used in ambient, hot fill andaseptic process applications. Additionally, such containers are lightweight, easy to transport and cost efficient process.

[0003] Typically these plastic bags, pouches, bladders and bag-in-boxcontainers are made from a combination of polymer materials which may,in some instances, be coated with or contain gas barrier materials. Thebags or pouches are generally fitted with a plastic pouring spout whichis rigidly attached to the bag. The spout is sealed by a cap. The cap isarranged to be secured to the spout in a manner whereby it can be“snapped off” mechanically prior to filling the bag with product andthen reapplied or “snapped on” by applying a downward force onto the capand the axially aligned spout. The cap has a centrally located plugwhich seals the spout and a skirt extending from the top of the cap. Theskirt is provided to prevent foreign matter from entering the exteriorof the spout. It is standard practice for the plug to engage in theaperture of the spout in a manner whereby an hermetic seal is formed.

[0004] As stated above, during the filling operation the cap is removedmechanically. Removal typically is achieved using a mechanical jaw touncap the cap. However, when the product is used by the end user, thecap must be removed manually. Given the nature of the connection betweenthe plug and the spout and the configuration thereof, it is extremelydifficult to remove the cap by hand. Considerable force is required tolever the cap off the spout. As these types of bags are used in many ofthe fast food chains, typically, the person trying to remove the cap isa youth who may not be strong enough to remove the cap. In order toovercome this problem uncapping tools are sometimes used. However, it isstill quite difficult to remove the cap and often the uncapping toolcan't be found when needed.

[0005] It is also quite common for users to slash the bag to empty theproduct, rather than remove the cap and pour the product through thespout. Although this is not a problem when the entire contents of thebag are to be used, in some situations it is desirable to only use asmall proportion of the contents and to store the remainder in the bagin a refrigerator. This is particularly a concern to caterers who have alimited turnover. In other situations, it is necessary to pour thecontents into a dispenser and thus is not particularly desirable toslash the bag.

[0006] The present invention seeks in one aspect to provide an improvedcap which can be easily removed by hand from the spout of the bag orcontainer while still enabling the cap to be removed and replacedmechanically on a filling machine.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a cap for sealing a containerhaving a spout, said cap being arranged so that it can be snapped ontothe spout and can be uncapped or snapped off, and said cap also beingarranged to be screwed onto and screwed off the spout.

[0008] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a cap forsealing a container having a spout, said cap having a threaded portionarranged to engage with a correspondingly shaped threaded portion of thespout, said cap also having a plug means arranged to sealingly engagewithin the spout and wherein the threaded portion of the cap can bemoved over the threaded portion of the spout so that the cap can besnapped onto and off the spout.

[0009] Preferably, the action of snapping the cap onto and off the spoutmay be performed manually, without the use of a tool.

[0010] Preferably, either the threaded portion of the cap or an adjacentportion thereto is flexible so as to enable the threaded portion of thecap to move over the correspondingly shaped threaded portion of thespout when the cap is snapped onto and off the spout. Flexible movementof the threaded portion of the cap or the adjacent portion thereto ispreferably in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the spout.Typically, the threaded portion is flexible in a radially outwardlydirection.

[0011] It is envisaged that the threaded portion of the spout may alsobe flexible to better enable the cap to move over the threaded portionof the spout when the cap is snapped onto and off the spout.

[0012] The threaded portion of the cap is preferably located on an innerface of a skirt which depends from the top of the cap. The skirtpreferably has a flexible zone which enables the threaded portion to bemoveable thereby enabling the cap to snap onto and off the spout.

[0013] The flexible zone of the skirt typically includes the entireskirt. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that theflexible zone may include a specific point or points on the skirt or maybe defined by a portion extending circumferentially about the skirt.

[0014] The cap further includes a jaw engaging surface which is arrangedto be engaged by the mechanical jaws of a filling machine. Themechanical jaws being arranged to “snap off” the cap from the spout.

[0015] The cap preferably also includes a gripping portion which extendsabout the periphery of the cap so as to enable the cap to be easilygripped by hand when screwing the cap onto and off the spout.

[0016] The invention also provides a spout including a flange arrangedto enable connection to a container, a spout through which a product maybe poured, and said spout having a threaded portion arranged to engagewith a cap.

[0017] The spout preferably includes securing means by which the spoutcan be held when the cap is “snapped off” therefrom.

[0018] The present invention also relates to a combination including abag having a threaded spout and a cap in accordance with the firstaspect of the invention.

[0019] Additionally, the invention relates to a container having athreaded spout and a cap in accordance with the first aspect of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cap in accordance with anembodiment of the invention secured to a spout;

[0022]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the cap shown in FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cap shown in FIG. 2;

[0024]FIG. 4 is an underneath view of the cap shown in FIG. 2; and

[0025]FIG. 5 is a side view of the spout shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026]FIG. 1 illustrates a cap 10 secured to a spout 12. In FIG. 1, thespout 12 is not secured to a plastic bag or other container. However, itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that when the spout 12 issecured to a bag or other container the lower flange 14 of the spout 12will not be visible and will in fact be inside the bag or container. Thebody of the spout 16 would then extend through an aperture formed in thebag or container.

[0027] The cap 10 is best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The cap 10includes a top 17, a downwardly depending skirt 18 and a plug 20. Plug20 extends downwardly from the top 17 of the cap 10 and is locatedcentrally of the axis x-x of the cap 10 (see FIG. 3). The plug 20 of thecap 10 is arranged to engage within the bore of the spout 12 so thatthere is a strong seal between the outer peripheral wall 20 a of theplug 20 and the internal surface of the bore of the spout 12. The sealmust be such that it prevents fluid from leaking out of the bag, as wellas preventing micro-organisms from entering the bag. Ideally, the sealbetween the outer peripheral wall 20 a and the internal surface of thebore of the spout 16 is an hermetic seal.

[0028] Skirt 18 includes an upper portion 22 which extends about theperiphery of the top 17 of the cap 10. The upper portion 22 forms agripping portion for manually screwing and unscrewing the cap 10 ontothe spout 12. The gripping portion 22 is typically defined by a seriesof indentations 24.

[0029] The skirt 18 has a lower portion 26 distal from the upper portion22. Located on the inner face 26 a of the lower portion 26 of the skirt18 is a screw thread 28.

[0030] Thread 28 is arranged to engage with a correspondingly shapedscrew thread 29 on the body 16 of the spout 12.

[0031] Lower portion 26 of the skirt 18 has a wall thickness less thanthe wall thickness of the upper portion 22. In this manner, the lowerportion 26 of the skirt 18 is flexible when compared to the upperportion 26 of the skirt 18.

[0032] Located between the upper portion 22 and the lower portion 26 ofthe skirt 18 is a jaw engaging surface 30. The purpose of the jawengaging surface 30 will become apparent subsequently.

[0033] For hygiene reasons, the cap 10 is already in position on thespout 12 prior to filling of the bag. Accordingly, before a product canbe introduced into the bag the cap 10 must be removed. Typically, thecap 10 is removed just prior to filling while the bag is mounted in thetransport mechanism of a filling machine. Cap 10 is removed bymechanical jaws which engage about the outer periphery of the skirt 18and against the jaw engaging surface 30. The jaw must engage with theskirt 18 in a manner whereby the skirt 18 can still flex outwardly awayfrom axis x-x when the cap is being “snapped off” or “snapped on” thespout. Meanwhile, the spout 12 is engaged in the transport mechanism sothat the spout 12 and attached bag are in position ready for filling.

[0034] To remove the cap 10, the jaws engage against the jaw engagingsurface 30 and then move axially upwardly away from the spout 12. Inthis manner the cap 10 is “snapped off” the spout 12. To reapply the cap10 onto the spout 12 after filling, a downward force is applied to theaxially aligned cap 10 and spout 12.

[0035] In order for the cap 10 to be “snapped off” and “snapped on” thespout 12, a mechanism for enabling the thread 28 of the cap 10 to bepassed over the thread 29 of the spout 12 must be provided. In thedescribed embodiment, this mechanism is provided by a flexible portionwhich is defined by the lower portion 26 of the skirt 18. As mentionedpreviously, the lower portion 26 of the skirt is made flexible whencompared to the upper portion 22 thereof because it has a reduced wallthickness. The flexible lower portion 26 of the skirt 18 enables the cap10 to be “snapped on” and “off” the spout 12 because the lower portion26 of the skirt 18 flexes outwardly away from the spout 12 when thethread 28 of the cap 10 contacts the thread 29 of the spout 12. Thisflexible movement of the skirt 18 enables the thread 28 of the cap 10 tobe moved over the thread 29 on the body of the spout 12. The resilientnature of the skirt 18 enables it to return to its original orientationonce thread 28 has moved over thread 29 of the spout 12.

[0036] When the cap 10 is “snapped” onto the spout 12, the lowermostedge 18 a of the skirt 18 rests on the upper flange of the spout 12. Inthis manner, the skirt 18 and flange 32 provide a barrier to preventcontamination from entering into the inside of the cap 10 or the outsideof the spout 12.

[0037] As stated above, the cap 10 can be “snapped on” or “snapped off”the spout 12. However, because of the thread 28 on the cap 10 and thethread 29 on the spout 12, it is also possible to remove the cap 10 bysimply unscrewing it from the spout 12. This means that the cap 10 canbe unscrewed to allow easy and quick access to the bag's contents. Thus,it becomes quite simple to empty some of the contents from the bagbefore reapplying the screw cap 10 to reseal the remaining contentswithin the bag. The remaining contents can then be stored in the bag ina refrigerator. Another advantage of this arrangement is that filling ofdispensing machines and other forms of machinery becomes easier becausethe contents of the bag can simply be poured out through the spout afterunscrewing the cap 10. Other dispensing devices with a matching threadmay also be directly applied to the spout.

[0038] Use of the cap and spout arrangement described herein alsonegates the need to have any form of uncapping tool.

[0039] A cap in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is mucheasier to use than prior art arrangements because it can be screwed onand off the spout 12. The size of the top 17 of the cap 10 and thegripping portions 22 facilitate the easy gripping and opening of the cap10. Thus, it will be appreciated that the threaded spout 12 and the cap10 in combination make uncapping, pouring and recapping of the productmuch easier for the end user. Additionally. it will be appreciated thatthe ease of opening and resealing of the cap reduces waste of productand is therefore more cost efficient.

[0040] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that tofunction properly the cap 10 in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention must have a mechanism by which the thread 28 of the cap 10 canbe moved over the thread on the spout 12 when it is being “snapped on”and “snapped off”. Although, the present invention describes the use ofa flexible skirt it is envisaged that other methods for ensuringappropriate movement of the thread 28 could be adopted. It is envisagedthat the skirt may include in one arrangement a specific point or pointsof flexibility located between the engaging surface 30 and the thread28. Alternatively, a ring of decreased thickness in this location couldbe used.

[0041] The cap and spout in accordance with the embodiment of theinvention are preferably made of a plastics material. This enables thecap and spout to be manufactured by injection molding.

[0042] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thatnumerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention asshown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodimentsare, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

[0043] The discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articlesand the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose ofproviding a context for the present invention. It is not suggested orrepresented that any or all of these matters formed part of the priorart base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to thepresent invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date ofeach claim of this application.

1. A cap for sealing a container having a spout, said cap including atop and a downwardly depending skirt, said skirt including a threadedportion arranged to engage with a correspondingly shaped threadedportion of the spout, said cap also including a plug means arranged inuse to sealingly engage within the spout of the container and whereinthe threaded portion of the cap can be moved over the threaded portionof the spout so that the cap can be snapped onto and off the spout, saidcap further including an engaging surface against which pressure can beapplied so as to snap said cap off said spout, said engaging surfaceextending substantially perpendicularly from said skirt and beinglocated between the top and the threaded portion.
 2. A cap according toclaim 1 wherein the action of snapping the cap onto and off the spoutmay be performed manually, without the use of a tool.
 3. A cap accordingto claim 1 or claim 2 wherein either the threaded portion of the cap oran adjacent portion thereto is flexible so as to enable the threadedportion of the cap to move over the correspondingly shaped threadedportion of the spout when the cap is snapped onto and off the spout. 4.A cap according to claim 3 wherein flexible movement of the threadedportion of the cap or the adjacent portion thereto is in a directionaway from the longitudinal axis of the spout.
 5. A cap according toclaim 3 or claim 4 wherein the threaded portion of the spout is alsoflexible to enable the cap to move over the threaded portion of thespout when the cap is snapped onto and off the spout.
 6. A cap accordingto any one of the preceding claims wherein the threaded portion of thecap is located on an inner face of the depending skirt.
 7. A capaccording to claim 6 wherein the skirt has a flexible zone which enablesthe threaded portion to be moveable thereby enabling the cap to snaponto and off the spout.
 8. A cap according to claim 7 wherein theflexible zone of the skirt includes the entire skirt.
 9. A cap accordingto any one of the preceding claims further including a gripping portionwhich extends about the periphery of the cap so as to enable the cap tobe easily gripped by hand when screwing the cap onto and off the spout.10. A bag having a threaded spout and a cap in accordance with any oneof the preceding claims.
 11. A cap substantially as hereinbeforedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 12. A bagsubstantially as hereinbefore described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.